Nissan has revealed the awaited hybrid version of the latest Qashqai: the Qashqai e-power, which will arrive on sale in the UK this summer.

The Qashqai e-power is the brand’s first model in Europe to use the firm’s e-power hybrid technology, previously equipped on several models in Japan. It makes use of a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine developing 156bhp, which works in series with an electric motor system for a total power output of 188bhp and 330Nm torque. Nissan claims up to 53.3mpg and CO2 emissions from 119g/km.

As in other hybrid SUV rivals, such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the engine acts as an electricity generator, sending charge to either the compact battery pack, directly to the electric motor, or to both simultaneously.

The sole source of drive for the wheels is the electric motor system - the engine does not have a gear that locks and drives the wheels directly.

New technologies for the Qashqai e-power include a system called ‘Linear Tune’, which closely governs engine speed so that the revolutions per second does not sound out of sync with the speed the car is travelling. The Qashqai e-power also features partial one pedal driving, capable of reducing the speed of the car to a slow creep, not a full stop.

Nissan Qashqai pricing and specifications
Prices and trim levels for the new third-generation Qashqai family SUV are out now, kicking off at £23,535 - prices for the e-Power hybrid models are not yet available.

The range opens with the Visia grade car, which is powered by Nissan’s new 138bhp 1.3-litre DIG-T mild-hybrid turbocharged petrol engine in conjunction with a manual gearbox. Stepping up to the Acenta Premium model sees the price rise to £26,135 with the same engine and gearbox combination, though the more powerful version 156bhp 1.3-litre petrol unit is priced from £26,855 - a £720 premium. This model is also available with an automatic gearbox, taking the price up to £28,455.

N-Connecta and Tekna trims are available with every powertrain offered on the new Qashqai, starting from £28,305 and £30,845 respectively. These grades also offer the option of four-wheel drive, but this set-up is only available in conjunction with Nissan’s more powerful 156bhp 1.3 DIG-T engine and CVT automatic transmission, with prices starting from £32,335 in N-Connecta trim.

There’s a range-topping Tekna+ trim too. It’s not offered with the entry level 138bhp engine and manual gearbox, and is only available with the more powerful 156bhp engine, either with front-wheel drive (manual or CVT automatic) or four-wheel-drive. It’s priced from £34,175.

The £29,270 launch-spec Premiere Edition trim remains available in limited numbers. 

It is powered by Nissan’s new 138bhp 1.3-litre DIG-T mild-hybrid turbocharged petrol engine in conjunction with a manual gearbox, while an automatic Xtronic option is offered when paired with Nissan’s more powerful DIG-T mild-hybrid engine. This powertrain costs from £31,790 in Premiere Edition trim.

This high-spec model comes loaded with kit, including a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav and wireless Apple CarPlay, a 12.3-inch digital dash and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

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